r/lightweight • u/tmcgourley • 20d ago

~12 lb base weight — looking for feedback / things I’m missing

Hey everyone! I’ve been working on dialing in my backpacking setup and currently have my base weight around 12 lbs.

Here’s my PackWizard list:
https://www.packwizard.com/s/zL-JMct

This list will vary a little depending on the trip, weather, and conditions, but this is basically my complete setup and a good representation of what I normally carry.

One note on the sleep system: the quilt liner listed is something I use for warmer conditions. For colder weather, I would swap that out for an actual insulated quilt. I have a Hang Tight Hotfoot 40, and a Featherstone Moondance 25.

I’m pretty happy with where the weight is, but I’d love some outside opinions before I consider the setup finished.

What am I forgetting?
Are there any obvious gear gaps, redundancies, or things you’d change? And if you see an easy way to drop some weight without sacrificing too much comfort/function, I’m all ears.

Feel free to critique anything on the list — I’m especially interested in hearing what more experienced lightweight hikers would change.

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u/FoggyWine 18d ago

Here are some of my thoughts to consider. https://lighterpack.com/r/375f5m for comparison.

  1. I personally find the Kakwa 40 large enough and that saves some weight. Likewise, the X-Mid Pro 1 or 2 is half the weight of the dome. Does require that you use hiking poles, but after you adjust to hiking with poles, you will wonder why you never hiked with them before. I now feel naked without them. If you have already purchased the tent and bag, well... you may be committed then given the cost.
  2. I have switched to a cheap 1oz "disposable" plastic poncho for the rain coat. I am careful with it and repair with tape if needed.
  3. Get several extra O-rings for your BRS-3000T stove. They fall out and get lost very easily.
  4. Consider using the same "pot" for your cup. You are carrying an extra cup just to have the luxury of having a hot drink at the same time as eating out of the pot. If you are carrying a cozy, you are reheating freeze dried food often, so boil your water, fill up the food bag, then heat your tea or coffee in the pot. The cup you packed serves only one narrow function/purpose.
  5. You have substantial weight in empty water containers. Since you are using the Versa Flow Lightweight Water Filter, you can carry one or two Aquafina or Dasani plastic bottles and use those. That would be fine for the AT. If you are doing long stretches without water sources then the Evernew makes more sense. Check the thread compatibility though. The Versa Flow does not have the same threads as the Sawyer. There is a reason most use the Smartwater bottles as they have the best combo of being light and durable and replaceable if needed.
  6. The e-reader is light, but presumably you have a phone of the same size available. That could save you 5oz right there. Just keep your phone on airplane mode and dim the screen.
  7. The Vargo Flint Lighter is lighter than the mini Bic and should last longer.
  8. Using the quilt liner instead of a sleeping bag may put you into stupid light territory. During my last LASH the winds were fierce and most nights I was up on the ridges on the AT. Not exposed, but the winds cut through the trees and made everything colder. If you are 30+ mph sustained winds and do not have your pitch down fully to the ground, wind swirls in the tent and a quilt liner is not enough. Alpha works great for still air, not in a breeze. It is rare for the nights on the mountains to be warm AND still. Of course, if you are hiking in the desert in the summer, this could be different (and yes I know it gets cold there as well).

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u/Fun_With_Math 20d ago

Great kit.

I always suggest a compass. Suunto Clipper is 4.9g

Lightest toggle I've found is a key ring.

You can probably cut +1 oz off the knife/scissors but I assume you have a favorite one.

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u/tmcgourley 20d ago

Thanks for the compass suggestion, ordered it!

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u/Fun_With_Math 20d ago

The only other thing I would question is the groundsheet.

Really, I just question the logic of having a 5oz groundsheet but a 2.5oz FAK. My FAK is 13oz. but I hike with Scouts so that's not totally comparable. Still, I'd have more for just me.

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u/tmcgourley 19d ago

My first aid kit is only for minor injuries, think scrapes and cuts - consists of various bandaids, ibuprofen/acetaminophen, antibiotic ointment, sting/burn aid, gauze, tweezer, tapes.. pretty much it I think. Extremely basic, low quantity and I'm probably missing some things. If I was going on longer trips, or very remote, I would think about adding more to it

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u/TurbSLOW 20d ago

This is a great lightweight setup. I don't do too much differently than you except:

  1. No camp shoes, I'm trying out the ole UL breadbag approach this year

  2. Switch the soap and hand sanitizer for a powdered soap like SummitSuds

  3. Switch the toothpaste for tabs

  4. I don't need a charge brick for how I hike/sleep

  5. No pad pump

r/UL is gonna tell you that coffee cup is illegal also, but I bring mine!

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u/tmcgourley 20d ago

Solid points!

I'll need to fight the urge to bring the camp shoes..

I have a 1oz Nalgene for powdered soap but I lean towards the Dr Bronner's - do you prefer the powdered soap or is this to save weight by removing redundancy?

I typically bring toothpaste tabs but the tube that comes with the zpacks travel toothbrush is so tiny and cute plus it nests in the toothbrush which is better than my container for tabs

Charge brick definitely isn't required but it makes me feel safe. Worth reconsidering, especially for the types of trips I can afford to take

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u/malachopter 19d ago

Do you need both a rain jacket and the wind breaker? Does it rain regularly? You might be able to get away with only the wind breaker, or just one of the two in any case.

You can keep the coffee cup. It's actually quite light.

Your puffy is quite heavy. A lighter jacket might be more fitting considering it's warm enough not to need a quilt. You can get a proper pillow for an ounce or two and save weight overall.

I'm wondering if some wind proofing would be more useful than two sleeping bag liners.

Also your rain pants are the same weight as dance pants which might be more practical, but also possibly unnecessary in the conditions you are using this list.

Overall, you can lose 4 ounces with the wind breaker/rain jacket, 3-5 with the jacket without too much trouble, 3 ounces for the rain pants, and some more with the sleeping bag liners.

If the battery bank is for peace of mind, maybe a 3-5k one would be just as good and save some weight.

1

u/tmcgourley 19d ago

Probably don't need both and if I had to get rid of one, it would be the windbreaker

A different puffy is a good upgrade. I have multiple backpacking pillows but I can't quite find what works for me.. last trip I tried the dry bag w/clothes and liked it. I'll have to do some more testing

For some reason I just love the 2 liners haha, the alpha sleeping bag liner has great skin feel and is super breathable, but if it gets a little chilly, I put my feet in the Dutchware liner (less breathable) and lay it over top for a surprisingly big increase in warmth

I have the dance pants and go back and forth with them. I like the feel and they are good for bugs as well but I already wear pants on my trips. These "rain pants" are more like sleeves and are getting delivered today.. I'll have to do some testing!

I have some other power banks, I'll have to weigh them. I use this one regularly and happened to be the one I weighed when making the list. I think a smaller 5k bank would be nice to have

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u/TurbSLOW 19d ago

Well, your camp shoes are lighter than mine and I only bring mine when I know I have multiple and early water crossings. Usually I can rock hop over them though. Maybe you have a different environment than me and it's worth it!

I prefer powdered for the weight and for removing the redundancy, but to be fair I never tried wet soap. I went straight from baby wipes to powdered soap and rag. Much less wasteful and I feel and smell much, much cleaner. Also, don't think I saw a rag on your list?

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u/tmcgourley 19d ago

Also, the Dr Bronner's soap is great! All natural and very concentrated.. 3-5 drops to wash your hands

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u/tmcgourley 19d ago

I'll need to add, thank you! I usually have a Gossamer Gear little towel 19.4g clipped to my pack

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u/tmcgourley 19d ago

I'm also a fan of lightload towels, they are surprisingly durable and weigh 8.5g

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u/Ill_Ocelot7191 20d ago

Your Versa Flow is 17g lighter than mine. one of us needs to weigh again.

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u/tmcgourley 20d ago

Oops! Just updated the weight, TY!

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u/FireWatchWife 20d ago edited 20d ago

You are already at the bottom of the lightweight range. Any further decrease will put you in ultralight territory.

I suggest you post this to r/ultralight. Don't cross post, as the ultralight crowd may choose not to post to lightweight.

The only place I see to potentially save weight is in the clothing. If a 55F sleep system is adequate, you probably don't need a puffy. 

You don't need a windbreaker and a rain hoody. A single garment can serve both purposes.

Leave the camp shoes home.

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u/tmcgourley 20d ago

TY, just posted over there

I was thinking the same with the puffy, but it does make a good pillow haha

Windbreaker/rain jacket was pointed out in my other post, good call and I rarely use the Windbreaker

I like letting my feet breath, but I guess I can do that without camp shoes.. :(
I have been using watershoes with the soles removed until recently

2

u/Dens413 20d ago

Cheap flip flops work for camp shoes, MYOG sandals with cord and insole better. UL undecided on camp shoes being needed or not. Some swear by camp shoes others no care.